Compact radio frequency antenna apparatuses

Abstract

Antenna assemblies are described herein. In particular, described herein are multi-focal-point antenna devices and compact radio frequency (RF) antenna devices. Any of these assemblies may include a primary feed that includes a single patterned emitting surface from which multiple different beams of RF signals are emitted corresponding to different antenna input feeds each communicating with the patterned antenna emitting surface. The antenna assembly is therefore capable of emitting beams in the same direction having different polarizations using a single primary feed. Also described herein are compact RF antenna devices having a lightpipe that passes through the single patterned emitting surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A multi-focal-point antenna device having a single emitter adapted to emit three or more independent beams, the device comprising:
 a primary feed comprising a patterned antenna radiating emitter, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises a sheet of metal having a plurality of cut-out regions along one or more edges of the patterned antenna radiating emitter; 
 n antenna input feeds, where n is 3 or more, separately extending to the patterned antenna radiating emitter of the primary feed, wherein each of the n antenna input feeds are independent and electrically isolated from each other; and 
 a radio circuitry coupled to each of the n antenna input feeds, wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals to each of the n antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter emits n beams from the primary feed in which each of the n beams is differently polarized, and wherein the beams do not couple with each other. 
 
     
     
       2. The device of  claim 1 , further comprising a primary reflector having n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the n surface regions reflecting one or the n emitted beams. 
     
     
       3. The device of  claim 2 , further comprising a secondary reflector having n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the n surface regions reflecting one of the n emitted beams to one of the n surface regions of the primary reflector. 
     
     
       4. The device of  claim 1 , wherein n is 3, and wherein each of the emitted beams is 120 degrees off from each other. 
     
     
       5. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter has a generally triangular shape. 
     
     
       6. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter is flat. 
     
     
       7. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises a flat central surface with one or more edges folded down away from a central plane of the patterned antenna radiating emitter. 
     
     
       8. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the n antenna input feeds are directly coupled to n edge regions of the patterned antenna radiating emitter. 
     
     
       9. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises a single sheet of metal. 
     
     
       10. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter is sized to operate in both a 5 GHz and a 2 GHz regime. 
     
     
       11. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises an emitting surface having an average diameter of between about 5 cm and 12 cm. 
     
     
       12. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of the n antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, spectral signal and/or delay. 
     
     
       13. The device of  claim 1 , wherein the cut-out regions of the patterned antenna radiating emitter are configured to form the n beams, wherein each beam corresponds to one of the antenna input feeds. 
     
     
       14. A multi-focal-point antenna device having a single emitter adapted to emit three or more independent beams for use as a multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) antenna, the device comprising:
 a base plate; 
 a primary feed comprising a patterned antenna radiating emitter positioned above the base plate, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises a single sheet of metal having a plurality of cut-out regions along one or more outer edges of the patterned antenna radiating emitter; 
 n antenna input feeds, where n is 3 or more, extending through the base plate to the patterned antenna radiating emitter of the primary feed, wherein each of the n antenna input feeds are independent and electrically isolated from each other; and 
 a radio circuitry coupled to each of the n antenna input feeds, wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of the n antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, spectral signal and/or delay, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter emits n independent and uncoupled beams. 
 
     
     
       15. The device of  claim 14 , further comprising a primary reflector having n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the n surface regions reflecting one or the n emitted beams. 
     
     
       16. The device of  claim 15 , further comprising a secondary reflector having n wedge-shaped surface regions, each of the n surface regions reflecting one of the n emitted beams to one of the n surface regions of the primary reflector. 
     
     
       17. The device of  claim 14 , wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises an emitting surface having an average diameter of between about 5 cm and 12 cm. 
     
     
       18. An antenna device having a single primary feed adapted to emit three independent beams, the device comprising:
 a primary feed comprising a patterned antenna radiating emitter, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter comprises a sheet of metal having a plurality of cut-out regions along one or more outer edges; 
 three antenna input feeds each separately extending to the patterned antenna radiating emitter, wherein each of the three antenna input feeds are independent and electrically isolated from each other; and 
 a radio circuitry coupled to each of the three antenna input feeds, wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of the three antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, wherein the patterned antenna radiating emitter emits three independent and uncoupled beams. 
 
     
     
       19. The device of  claim 18 , wherein the three antenna input feeds are directly coupled to three edge regions of the patterned antenna radiating emitter. 
     
     
       20. The device of  claim 18 , wherein the radio circuitry is configured to transmit radio frequency (RF) signals so that each of the three antenna input feeds transmits at a different polarization, spectral signal and/or delay.